Transamerica Pyramid

The Virtual Observation Deck has four cameras at the very top of the spire pointed in all directions. In the Lobby there are four monitors broadcasting the images 24 hours a day.

The largest floor is the 5th, with  21,025 ft², while the 48th floor is the smallest, with only 2,025 ft².

Transamerica wanted a taller building (1,150 feet/350.5m) but the city planning commission would not approve it because it interfered with precious views of San Francisco Bay from Nob Hill.

Only two elevators reach the top floor.

The "spire" is the upper 212 feet (64.6m), and is covered with vertically louvered aluminum panels.

First occupancy was during the summer of 1972.

Excavation depth is 52 ft.

The lower portion of the spire encloses mechanical equipment.

The Pyramid lobby features the work of many artists through a rotating art exhibition.

Excavation commenced in December 1969, with the first steel placed in November 1970.

Components of the base include approximately 16,000 cubic yards of concrete, encasing more than 300 miles of steel reinforcement rods.

In 1969, and throughout its construction, the boarding surrounding the emerging site boldly boasted: A San Francisco landmark since 1972.

The Pyramid, no longer the company headquarters, serves as Transamerica's corporate logo and is strongly identified with the corporation.

With 3,678 windows it takes a month to wash them.

The "wings" which start at the 29th floor are necessary near the top of the pyramid to support elevators on the east side and a stairwell and smoke tower on the west side.

During the 7.1-magnitude Bay Area earthquake in 1989, the top story swayed nearly a foot from side to side.

The foundation consists of a steel and concrete block that sits 52 feet underground and is designed to move during earthquakes.

The exterior's quartz-aggregate panels are reinforced with connecting rods at four places on every floor, and the spacing between the panels allows lateral movement in case of an earthquake.

The top floor (48th) features a tenants-only conference room with 360-degree views of the city and bay.

This the tallest building in San Francisco, and the 4th tallest building on the west coast of the United States.

Tallest building in the United States west of the Mississippi River from 1972-1974; surpassed by the Aon Center in Los Angeles.